February 26, 2011 - "Puppy Size"

Drum roll please......................(CC Blogs)


This is an “enlightening” story, but read it, don’t just look at the pictures.

This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end. (You'll want to share this one with your loved ones and special friends!)

“Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this” the mother told the volunteer.

“What is it she keeps asking for?” the volunteer asked.

“Puppy size!” replied the mother.

“Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for..”

“I know..... We have seen most of them” the mom said in frustration.

Just then Danielle came walking into the office. “Well, did you find one?” asked her mom.

“No, not this time” Danielle said with a sadness in her voice. “Can we come back on the weekend?”

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed

“You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply” the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. “Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend” she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her regarding a puppy. They both felt she was being too particular. “It's this weekend or we're not looking anymore” Dad finally said in frustration.

“We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size, either” Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, “Sorry, but you're not the one.”

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

“Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!” she screamed with joy. “It's the puppy size!”

“But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks” her mom said.

“No not size; the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed” she said.

“Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!”

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

“Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms” she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, “Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!”

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day? They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

I hope your life is filled with Sighs!!!

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Life is too short and friends are too few.

Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't.

February 12 - 20, 2011 "Produce, Music & Mexico"

Finally……………..warm weather returns to the RGV, with highs near 80 and lows in the mid 60’s. Perfecto! Well almost. It’s windy here most days, with winds of 15-20 mph gusting to 30-35. We have gotten somewhat used to it, although when it’s whipping at 35 or better, it really rocks the rig. It’s funny, on windy days we don’t have many visitors; maybe the rocking rig makes them think, “Don’t go a knocking”. Hmmmmmm…………Afternoon delight?

Which leads me to an “interesting” topic; Just what do you and your significant other use as code word(s) for a little, shall we say, “making whoopee?” Here are a few we have heard here in this “Retirement Community”. We took a nap. We read a book. And from one of the guys, “I had cake for lunch”. That one took me awhile to figure out; but they are from Quebec, so now it makes sense. (Insert mini history lesson 101 - From Marie Antoinette, “Let them eat cake”. Google it if that doesn’t jog your memory.) Now, how in the hell did I get here? Starting talking about wind, and ended up eating cake. Guess we (us guys) do have a one track mind. (CC just nudged (?) me to get on with the Blog.) OK, on to other events of the week.

CC and I both enjoy fresh produce, and one advantage of staying here in the RGV, is the plethora of fruit and vegetables available. Our usual routine is to purchase on weekends and Wednesdays, that way we always have the freshest fruit and vegetables available. The pineapples here are to die for, and are mostly from Southern Mexico, they are soooo sweet and juicy; peeled and cored $3 each or 2 for $5. CC wanted some tangerines, and after peeling and tasting one, she commented, “this tangerine taste funny”, to which I replied, “yea, that’s because you’ve never had a FRESH one before.” (As always, click on any of the pictures to enlarge.)

While shopping for veggies, we stumbled across some local talent performing, a gentleman by the name of Lynn Dvorak; a classically trained, masterful musician that has played with numerous bands throughout his career. He plays the newest Yamaha TYROS keyboard, and records every track of all the songs he plays. He has worked with many notable entertainers over the years, including such stars as Rod McKuen, Gordon MacRae, Ray Price, Freddy Fender, Mel Tillis, Johnny Paycheck, Dave Dudley, Tammy Wynette, Myron Floren and JoAnn Castle from the Lawrence Welk Show. (Turn your speakers up, and click on the following link for a sample of his music from his website.) If you like it, and would like to hear more, just click on the “Links” at the top of his website, scroll down, and click on the “Reverbnation” link. We enjoyed him so much; we’re going back this Wednesday to hear him perform again and the cost for all of this, $0.00. Yes free. I’m starting to really enjoy this lifestyle. Now if someone would just come out with a good nickel beer, I’d be in hog heaven! Hope you enjoy the music.  

http://www.lynndvorak.com/music.htm

Of course, no week would be complete without at least one trip SOTB. I’ll leave you with the following photo, because after all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Choose yours very carefully! (Keep it clean as this blog is Rated RV-13)

Until next time, take care and stay well................

February 1 - 14, 2011 "Cold and No Fun"

That pretty much sums it up for the last two weeks here in Weslaco, TX. While the rest of the US had been experiencing blizzards, ice and snow storms, we are not immune from the residual effects of the same. We actually had an ice storm; about 1/8” on everything. I know what you’re thinking, “Fester is a SOB complaining about a few days of colder than normal weather, while the rest of us poor schmucks have been out shoveling snow every day, just trying to make it to work to pay the bills.” Yea, I guess that pretty much sums it up. Any questions? As for the SOB, well I am the Son Of a Butcher. (Grandson actually, but close enough for the acronym, because, after all, I am “Retarded”) ;-)


The next week is predicted to be, once again, sunny and warm; with highs in the 70-80’s and lows in the 50-60’s. So………………..we will be out and about, enjoying this lifestyle, and Livin’ by the 7 Second Rule. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!


Until next time, take care and stay well……………..

PS Happy Valentines Day